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Home My WebLink AboutMinutesTheFairhopeBoardofAdjustments&AppealsmetMonday,January15,2001at5:00PMattheCityAdministrationBuilding,161N.SectionStreetPresent:JimMcClure,Chairman;CharlesBassett,JoePetties,BobMannich.ChristopherBaker,DirectorofPlanning&Zoning,BettyRivenbark,SecretaryCaseBAOI-O1RickGambino/Gambino’sDownTheRoad-VariancerequestfromLandscaping&Bufferrequirements.PropertylocatedontheeastsideofScenicHwy98northofNelsonRoad.Mr.Gambinoaddressedtheboardsayinghedidnotcometonightinaconfrontationalmode.Hewouldliketohaveavarianceonthelandscapingandbufferrequirements.Thatheisconcernedandwouldliketocomeupwithsomethingthatworksandnotimpacttheneighbors.Thisstartedwhenhepavedtheparkinglotinthebackoftherestaurantandhispavingcontractorindicatedhehadgottenallpermitsbuthelaterlearnedthatheneededapermitfromthecityandbyaddingspaces(wenttoover50)thathefellunderanewcitycategoryandtherewerelandscapingrequirementshehadtoadhereto.HesaidhisrunofffromtheparkinglotisnotimpactingMr.Ryan’sproperty.HehadJohnDorgan,anengineercomeandlookatitandMr.DorgansaidhedoesnotdoelevationsbutsuggestedgettingMooreEngineeringtocomelookandtheydidandtoldhimthereisanaturalwaterflow.Hewentontosaythattherestauranthaschangedhands15timessince1970soobviouslythereisaproblemkeepingatenantinthisbuildingandtheparkingisnotvisiblefromthestreet.Heisaskingforrelieffromtherequirementsasitwouldworkahardshiponhim.ChristopherBakeratthistimesaidthattheonlyissuetheboardcanactontonightislandscaping,notdrainage.Mr.Gambinosaidthatonthesouthside75ftisTonsmeirepropertyandisallwoods,whichheunderstandstherearenoplanstodoanythingwiththat.Northsideisblind,EastendisMoffittproperty,abuildingonthewestside.TheChairmancalledforcommentsfromtheaudienceandDavidRyanspokesayingthathedidhavewaterproblemsfromnewpavingandthathealsohadbeenawakenatnightbypeoplecarryingonintheparkinglot.Thatheisuniquelyaffectedbywhatgoeson,andwhenblacktoppedtherewas100%runoffthatwasnottherebefore.Hestartedlookingintothesituationandthathefound15differentviolations.HesaidhesentaletterandtalkedtoMayorNixaboutlatenighthappenings.HejustwantsMr.Gambinotocomplywiththeordinance.MarkRyanspokesayingMr.Gambino’sapproachwasthatthisisahardshipbuttheordinanceisclearthataself-imposedhardshipisnotjustificationforgrantingavarianceunderAlabamalaw.Mr.BakerwasaskedandrepliedthatwhenMr.Gambinopavedtheparkinglot(withnopermit)removedtreesandaddedparkingspacesheneedstoprovidelandscapingandbuffering.Mr.Gambinoisseekingavarianceasiheparkinglotisnotvisiblefromtheroadbutrecommendationistodenyasthisisaselfimposedhardship..FurtherdiscussionledtoamotionbyBobMannichtodenyvariancerequest.JoePetties2’andmotioncarriedunanimously.Officersforthecomingyearwereelected-BobMannichwasnominatedforChairmanandSusanCunninghamforVice-Chairman.Meetingwasdulyadjourned.